MIDDLETOWN, R.I., Oct. 03, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq:KVHI) is pleased to announce that the top marine electronics professionals in the country have honored two of KVH’s marine satellite antenna systems for their outstanding performance and reliability. KVH’s TracPhone V3-IP received the National Marine Electronics Association’s (NMEA) 2017 Product of Excellence Award in the satellite communications antenna category, while the TracVision TV3 received the 2017 Product of Excellence Award in the satellite TV antenna category.

This is the 20th consecutive year that KVH has achieved the NMEA distinction for its TracVision satellite television antenna systems and the 15th time that KVH’s TracPhone satellite communications antenna systems have been recognized.

The NMEA awards are presented annually to recognize excellence in design, performance, and reliability in marine electronics products. The winners are selected by a vote of the members of NMEA, an industry group made up of more than 600 companies, including manufacturers, dealers, and boat builders.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition from NMEA knowing that it represents the opinion of skilled professionals who have firsthand experience with the installation and performance of our products, as well as those of our competitors,” says Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH chief executive officer. “They work with our TracVision and TracPhone systems every day, and we consider their recognition as the highest honor.”

KVH’s TracPhone V3-IP and its earlier variant, the TracPhone V3, have been recognized with a NMEA product award in the satellite communications antenna category for the past six years in a row. The TracPhone V3-IP is a 37 cm (14.5 inch) diameter Ku-band VSAT antenna that operates on KVH’s worldwide mini-VSAT Broadbandsm network. The ultra-compact system meets the increasing demand for broadband connectivity on boats, delivering fast data speeds at low airtime costs, and with a terminal that can be installed on boats as small as 30 feet.

The TracVision TV3 is an ultra-compact marine satellite TV system ideal for powerboats and sailboats that cruise as far as 100 nautical miles offshore. The TV3 makes it possible for boaters to enjoy their favorite high-definition television programming while on the water. The compact, 37 cm (14.5 inch) diameter system includes an IP-enabled TV-Hub for easy setup and operation, and makes it possible to access system information from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

On page 12, in the October edition of The Digital Ship, thedigitalship.com, MKVH confirms HTS changes are coming before year end with data rates in the 10 MBPS range. This is, by far, the most open he has been about the HTS strategy and the time line. It’s likely an official announcement will be at the FLIBS or METS. We are finally at the end point of the bleeding related to satcom.

On a more somber note, TacNav is likely to be a drag on Q4 considering we haven’t heard anything. I’ve said this before, I think we were played. What this means is that Q4 guidance will likely be pulled down to the very low end of guidance. There is no possible way for satcom to make up the difference. When Martin was referring to growth in out years, he strategically has set things up so the bar is very low.